by S. H. Jucha
A muted growl escaped Jittak’s lips, and Tacticnok leveled her gaze at him until he ducked his head in apology.
When the Jatouche returned, Jessie said, “Tacticnok, I’ve a few questions of my own. Who was here before us?”
“They were called the Gasnarians,” Tacticnok replied. “The planet you call Pyre we know as Gasnar.”
Hamoi signed to Jessie, Ask about the fight.
“Why do you waggle your fingers at each other?” Jittak asked, suspicious of what he couldn’t understand.
“It’s called sign language. An associate of mine, Kasey, was born deaf, and he was required to learn it in order to communicate with his parents until he was much older, when his hearing could be repaired,” Jessie explained.
“Humans can’t repair an infant’s disabilities?” Jakkock asked in disbelief.
“Not this kind, “Jessie replied. “Kasey taught me the technique. It’s how we managed to escape the dome the first time we were here.”
“Yes, we saw you using these odd motions,” Jaktook enthused. He was happy to have an anomaly seen in the dome’s recording explained.
“So, it’s a secret language,” Jittak challenged.
“It doesn’t have to be,” Jessie replied, his voice hardening. He felt a tap on his back from Belinda, who sat beside him, and he lightened his tone. “I’m sure Kasey would be pleased to teach it to you, Jittak … that is, if you ask him nicely.”
There was a tittering among the Jatouche when they received the translation.
“After all, Jittak, a security officer, such as yourself, can never have too many assets,” Jessie added.
When Jittak received the translation, his mouth fell open. The alien leader had unmasked him, and Jittak wondered how he’d done it.
Jessie ignored Jittak and turned his attention to Tacticnok. “I was about to ask you: Was there a fight with the Gasnarians?”
Tacticnok’s eyes narrowed at Jessie, and he realized he’d been disingenuous in starting this subject. “Let me rephrase that,” he said. “There seems evidence of a fight between the Jatouche and the Gasnarians … dead bodies and a massive crater on this moon.”
This time, it appeared Jessie had caused the Jatouche consternation, and it was his turn to eye Tacticnok, daring her to be as truthful with him, as he’d been with her.
“In short, Jessie Cinders, the Gasnarians knew us for hundreds of annuals,” Tacticnok said. “One day, they attacked us at our home world. The fight lasted annuals, and the Jatouche ended it here at Gasnar.”
“Jessie Cinders, how did humans arrive in this system?” Jaktook asked. This was one of his burning questions.
“Fifty thousand of us slept aboard the Belle, while we traveled between the stars,” Jessie replied.
“There was no gate where you came from?” Jaktook asked.
“Our home world is called Earth, and we had no gate. By the time our ship left the system, we had explored it in its entirety,” Jessie said.
“In the corridor, I was told the symbols on the wall were placed there by the Messinants,” Aurelia said. “Who are they?”
“An ancient race, who have been gone for more years than the Jatouche have had records,” Jaktook replied. “They were the masters who built the domes and the Q-gates.”
“How did the Jatouche learn to use the domes?” Tully asked.
“Over much time,” Jaktook replied. “It took many generations to discover that the console contained the answers to our questions. The Messinants had left them for us to discover.”
“Something isn’t making sense to me,” Belinda said, looking from Jaktook to Tacticnok. “You say that the Messinants built the domes and left instructions for you. But, you also say that they were gone before you had written records. How is that possible?”
“It’s unclear,” Jaktook replied, holding his small hands aloft. “It’s thought that they continued to monitor their work.”
“What do you mean by their work?” Belinda pressed.
“The Messinants uplifted the Jatouche and many other races,” Tacticnok explained. “Wherever they were successful, it appears they built a dome so that the species, when they attained rudimentary space travel, had a means of connecting with other sentient races via the domes.”
“Does anybody else understand the term uplifted?” Hamoi asked, scanning his crewmates.
“The Messinants experimented in genetic manipulation of target species. Their intent was to accelerate the process by which a species gained superior intelligence and speech,” Jaktook said.
“So, the Messinants uplifted the Jatouche,” Hamoi asked, wanting to confirm his train of thought.
“Yes,” Tacticnok replied.
“Is there a way to tell if humans were uplifted?” Hamoi asked.
“No, there isn’t,” Jaktook replied. “Although, the fact that Earth did not receive a gate from the Messinants is an indication that your species probably evolved naturally.”
Hamoi started to ask another question, but Jessie signaled him to wait. In the same manner, Jaktook drew breath to speak, and Tacticnok touched his knee. It was obvious to her that Jessie Cinders was about to shift the conversation. Much of what she saw indicated that he was a male who preferred action to discussion.
“Where do we go from here, Tacticnok?” Jessie asked. When Tacticnok frowned, Jessie rephrased his question. “What steps do you intend to take next?”
“We’ll be leaving soon for our home world, Na-Tikkook, Jessie Cinders,” Tacticnok replied. “The decision to help your species must be offered to my father, His Excellency Rictook.”
“By help, are you referring to how we might learn to operate the dome so that we could visit your world?” Jessie asked.
“That is one manner by which the Jatouche might be of aid to you,” Tacticnok replied.
“What are some of the other ways?” Jessie said, hoping for more.
“Before I answer that question, Jessie Cinders, I’d speak with one of your leaders,” Tacticnok said. She let the statement hang in the air and watched the bodies of the humans tense. You have no love for those who took their positions, Tacticnok thought, affirming her suspicions. “I’d speak with Captain Harbour,” she said and saw the humans ease.
The entire body of Pyreans and Jatouche trooped to the dome’s deck and ringed the console, and Kractik placed a call to the Belle.
Jessie’s face appeared on the bridge monitor, when Birdie accepted the comm.
“I would speak with Captain Harbour, who represents all empaths and who is the leader of the great ship’s humans,” Jessie intoned in his best lyrical manner, hoping to convey the importance of the moment.
“I’ll request Captain Harbour’s presence,” Birdie replied, trying to play Jessie’s game.
“Captain Harbour to the bridge, now,” Dingles called quietly on his comm unit.
“On my way, Dingles,” Harbour replied.
“Captain, be aware, Captain Cinders is talking strange. I’ve the feeling that you’ll need to follow his lead,” Dingles added.
Dingles whispered to Birdie, who announced to Jessie, “Captain Harbour’s presence has been requested. She’ll be with you momentarily.”
The wait was nearly a quarter hour, while Harbour made her way from below decks. She arrived rather breathlessly and took several minutes to breathe deeply and compose herself. When ready, she said in a strong, clear voice, “This is Captain Harbour.”
“Captain Harbour, I’ve the honor of translating for Her Highness Tacticnok,” Jessie said.
Harbour glanced at Dingles, who shrugged his shoulders.
“I’d be pleased to listen to Her Highness Tacticnok,” Harbour replied.
The console’s view widened, and the Belle’s bridge crew was treated to a crystal-clear view of Jessie, his crew, and the Jatouche.
“With our new ear wigs, Captain Harbour, we and the Jatouche are able to understand one another,” Jessie said, trying to subtly warn Harbour that her comment
s would be understood. Harbour tipped her head down ever so slightly, signaling Jessie she’d understood.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to meet Jessie Cinders and his five companions. This has been a historic first contact,” Tacticnok said, which Jessie translated.
“I’ve every confidence in Jessie Cinders and his people, and I’m pleased that you found them valuable representatives of our species,” Harbour replied. The thought occurred to Harbour that Jessie had probably been speaking in this manner for a while, and she marveled at what he’d accomplished.
“I’ve understood from Jessie Cinders that you came by your position in an unusual manner,” Tacticnok said.
Jessie smiled, as he repeated the question, and that expression was echoed by Jittak, who was hoping that Tacticnok caught the leader in a lie.
Harbour racked her brain for what Tacticnok might be referring to or what Jessie might have told her. Then it occurred to her that Jessie wouldn’t have embellished the truth. He tended to speak plainly, if not bluntly.
“I had the honor of being elected by the residents of the Belle,” Harbour replied. “Does Her Highness Tacticnok understand what that means?”
Tacticnok nodded, and Jessie affirmed that she did. Out of the corner of his eye, Jessie saw Jittak deflate.
“We too have been honored,” Tacticnok said. “We’ve received a gift from Aurelia.”
It occurred to Harbour what was transpiring, during this call. The aliens had met Jessie and his crew and had heard many things from them. Now, they were seeking to confirm some of that information. “You’re speaking of Aurelia’s empathetic capabilities,” Harbour replied. “I hope you weren’t overwhelmed. She’s young and still learning to control her power.”
“It was a most pleasant sensation,” Tacticnok replied. “It must be difficult to be a leader of one so powerful that she can overwhelm even you.”
Harbour smiled. It was a test, and she decided to push back. “It does not become Her Highness Tacticnok to pose such falsehoods. Jessie Cinders would have told you who I am. I’m captain of the Belle and its many residents. I lead the empaths by right of my greater power and my willingness to put their welfare first. Now, let this be an end to the games or I’ll request Jessie Cinders abandon communications with you.”
Tacticnok bowed her head in apology. It didn’t seem to require a comment, so Jessie kept silent.
“Jessie Cinders can share with you our discussions,” Tacticnok said, “but before we leave, I wish to offer my sorrow for the conditions you’ve suffered on Pyre.”
“You’ve no need to apologize,” Harbour replied and then halted in mid-sentence. So many things fell into place from discussions with Jessie and her engineers. Her eyes narrowed at the monitor’s image, and she dearly wished to be present in the dome and bring her power to bear on the alien leader. She was sure her years of reading clients would serve her well. Changing her tone, Harbour said, “It’s not your fault, or is it?”
When an answer wasn’t forthcoming from Tacticnok, Jessie turned from the console to face her. In no way was he a judge of alien expressions, but those worn by Tacticnok, Jaktook, and Jakkock were too easy to read. It was guilt, pure and simple.
“The fight, the battle, here at Triton. The crater. You had some sort of powerful weapon,” Jessie accused.
“We did,” Jaktook replied, when words seemed to have escaped Tacticnok. “We were fighting to prevent the Gasnarians from getting access to the dome. At first, our beam weapon was used to defend this satellite by preventing their ships from landing shuttles. But the Gasnarians began landing on the far side of this satellite from our installation. Knowing that our position was untenable, it was decided to target the planet.”
“Explain exactly what you did,” Jessie growled, his temper getting the best of him.
Belinda thought to say something to calm Jessie, but she hesitated. Instead, the entire group of humans and aliens felt a pleasant sensation of sympathy and concern. Aurelia’s sending had less power than the previous occasion, and it enabled the Jatouche to enjoy the feeling, without succumbing to it. For Jessie, it tickled the many times he’d benefitted from Aurelia’s ministrations, and he relaxed into it. After a few minutes, the sensation subsided.
“Apologies,” Jessie said to the Jatouche. “I was rude.”
“A valuable individual to have … a female to calm tempers,” Tacticnok said, reaching out a small hand to Aurelia, who grasped it gently. She nodded to Jaktook, requesting he respond to Jessie’s request.
“Information regarding our final battle on this satellite isn’t complete,” Jaktook explained. “Our soldiers were fighting to hold the dome, while a group manned the weapon emplacement. After the planet was targeted, it was locked on continuous fire, while the soldiers attempted to defend it. Some of our soldiers attempted to exit the dome before the Gasnarians could make their entrance. They were caught trying to make their escape through the gate. Then the Jatouche console showed this gate to be inaccessible. We didn’t know what happened to our soldiers, and we learned nothing more until you activated the dome.
Tacticnok’s eyes pleaded with Jessie, and she said, “The fate of our weapon was unknown to us, Jessie Cinders. Our soldiers told us that they thought the Gasnarians would have destroyed it soon after it began autofiring. Our scientists told us that it would have caused only minimal damage to the planet. But, when the Gasnarians never reactivated the dome, we anticipated those conjectures were wrong.”
Harbour couldn’t follow what the Jatouche were saying without Jessie’s translations, but she knew him well enough to recognize his demeanor, which said it wasn’t an appropriate time to interrupt him. The pleasantries of first contact might have taken a turn for the worse, Harbour thought.
“How long ago was this?” Jessie asked.
“More than four hundred annuals by the Na-Tikkook timeline,” Jaktook replied.
Jessie deflated. Of all the rotten luck, he thought. We have to make planetfall on the site of a major conflict between aliens, and we inherit the mess.
Tacticnok caught Jessie’s attention and swung her eyes toward the console.
“Captain Harbour, the upshot here is that there was a long-running fight between the Jatouche and the previous inhabitants of Pyre called the Gasnarians,” Jessie summarized. “The final battle happened here on Triton. The Jatouche were using some sort of beam weapon to defend the dome and destroy Gasnarian ships. The beam weapon was turned on the planet. I think that’s what has caused the planet’s massive surface upheaval and polluted the atmosphere.”
Harbour would have loved to have locked eyes on the Jatouche leader, but Tacticnok’s expression indicated she was already feeling ashamed for the suffering of the human colonists.
“Is it a quality of the Jatouche that they believe in correcting their actions, when they know they’ve harmed others?” Harbour asked.
Tacticnok’s head snapped up, and she flashed her teeth. “It’s a well-known quality of the Jatouche, Captain Harbour.”
“Then I look forward to hearing from Jessie Cinders how the Jatouche can help us,” Harbour replied. She felt that this was a good point on which to end the discussion with the aliens and signaled Birdie to cut the call. “Did I just ask the aliens for help?” Harbour said to herself. The wide-eyed stares of the bridge crew seemed to indicate that she had.
“Can you help?” Jessie asked Tacticnok, after Kractik motioned that the call had been terminated.
“Do we have the technology? Yes, Jessie Cinders,” Tacticnok replied. “Do we have the equipment? No. They will have to be designed and constructed … some elements by us and some by you, to our specifications. This will take time.”
“Well, we aren’t going anywhere,” Jessie said with a sigh. “For better or worse, this is our home now. You mentioned earlier that your father must approve any help we receive from the Jatouche. Does he have the authority?”
There was some chittering between Tacticnok, Jaktook,
and Jakkock.
“Jessie Cinders, Her Highness Tacticnok is the daughter of His Excellency Rictook, who is the supreme ruler of the Jatouche,” Jaktook explained, understanding that humans did not have the same societal organization, as did they. “His word is law. If he approves Tacticnok’s request, it will be done.”
“And will you request this, Tacticnok?” Jessie asked, pressing for confirmation.
“Oh, yes, Jessie Cinders,” Tacticnok replied with enthusiasm. “Have no concerns. My father will hear me.”
The gleam in Tacticnok’s eyes exuded confidence, and Jessie felt as if he could jump up and cheer in celebration. What almost made him break into a smile was the thought that he couldn’t ever remember celebrating in that fashion. Then again, it wasn’t every day that you met aliens and discovered that they might be able to help you recover your ailing planet.
“How will we learn what’s transpiring?” Jessie asked.
“I’ll send reports, Jessie Cinders,” Tacticnok said. “Kractik will come with an escort and call Captain Harbour. Will she encounter other humans?”
“My ships are the only ones that would make the journey to Triton, Tacticnok,” Jessie replied.
“You possess multiple ships?” Jaktook asked, his eyes wide in amazement.
“Three,” Jessie replied.
“A human of substance,” Jaktook murmured.
“Some,” Jessie said quietly.
And a modest human, Tacticnok thought.
“We’ll be gathering our supplies and leaving now, Jessie Cinders,” Tacticnok announced.
“We’ll be doing the same,” Jessie replied. “I want to thank you, Tacticnok, for the courage you exhibited when you chose to come through the gate to meet us, and, whether you can help us or not, thank you for trying.”
Jessie held out his hand to Tacticnok. The soft gasps of the Jatouche were audible, but Tacticnok flashed her teeth and laid her small furred hand, with its dark brown pads lining the palm and fingers, into Jessie’s. When his closed gently on hers, she did the same, although hers could only partially encompass his.